Your Child and Computer Literacy
by Darryl Reiter

The number of hours a child spends in front of the television has declined for the first time in years. One of the main reasons is the Internet, and the other is computer games. Children are spending more time in front of the computer than the TV, and that's a fact. Does your child seem to know more about using a computer than you? Probably. Does that make your child computer literate? Probably not. Before you try to assess the computer competency of your child, think about what "computer literacy" means. Is it the ability to talk techno-speak and impress (or even scare) parents? Is it the ability to operate a computer and run applications to complete a task? These are simple definitions in a domain that has an incredibly varied set of skills and applications.

Perhaps we should look at computer literacy as the ability to apply computers and related technology to thinking critically to solve a problem, creating a solution and ultimately producing a product. That product may be a document, a presentation, a device or some other outcome. There is an old theory that has recently regained the right to be discussed seriously called "Multiple Intelligences". One of the biggest proponents of this theory is Howard Gardner, a professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

The basic idea of the theory is that every child must be taught differently, because children understand the world in different ways. Some examples of the different types of intelligence include linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, and personal. Gardner suggests that classrooms be filled with apprenticeships, projects and technologies, where students can develop true understanding through hands-on applied learning, and be given the opportunity to develop their learning style under whichever intelligence best suits them. In a digital world, where computers allow children to develop a learning pattern based upon their own intelligence in a non-threatening way, full-frontal, asynchronous teaching environments cannot-and do not-grab their attention. Does your child need to have logical-mathematical intelligence in order to become computer literate? Absolutely not. So what can you do to teach your child appropriate computer skills? Most importantly, make sure that your child is learning how to apply technology to help him or her think critically, problem-solve, work cooperatively and ultimately use a variety of technologies that can help them invent, create and ultimately produce. While there are good software packages available to develop these skills for all types of intelligences, finding the right titles is the key.

Darryl Reiter is an educational consultant specializing in the application of technology in elementary and junior schools in Toronto. He resides in Toronto and has just opened The Children's Technology Workshop, a HANDS ON Applied Technology Project Centre in Leaside. You can learn more about the Children's' Technology Workshop at http://www.ctworkshop.com/CTWBM/CTW%5FBM/